Ducem Mortis | The Mandalorian

XXIII

I was scared.

Not about facing the Magistrate but about my mother. Ahsoka's words were a clear sign that I had come to the end of the line, it was time to face reality. That my mother was going to die. Knowing it was going to happen and it actually happening was two very different things.

I've been trying to prepare myself for this moment before I realize there's not enough preparation in the universe that could help me. For I was still terrified at the end of the day.

Din came back shortly after Ahsoka and I spoke. We still had an hour until we raided the village giving us some down time as we walked towards the village. Ahsoka left before Din and I which I didn't mind. I could barely meet Din's gaze when he walked up to me.

"What's on your mind?" Din asked causing me to look up, "I need to go home after this. I know our quest is to bring the child to his kind but I just-." I looked away and shook my head as foul thoughts of my mother being dead before I could even make it home surfaced.

"We will have done what we were quested to do by the end of today. Do you know the coordinates on how to get back home?" Din asked causing me to nod, I knew them by heart. Din nodded before shaking his head, "I guess I can lend you the Razor Crest." He said before pausing, "Just don't wreck my ship."

A small smile formed on my lips as I fired at the man, "Says the one whose been flying it all this time and has been the one whose been at the wheel when it does get damaged." Din looked at me before shrugging his shoulders, "None of those were my fault."

"Okay Captain Djarin." I said as I looked at him. I heard Din's chuckle as he took in my comment. There was a moment or two before he spoke, "At least I have a ship." I grimaced at Din's words before pushing him in a playful manner, "That was a low blow. I used my ship fuel to help Cobb and his village."

"You walked into it talking about my driving skills." Din said causing me to scoff, "You've literally managed to make the child puke with your driving skills." Din was quick to object saying that it was only because he was eating cookies when it happened. "It's no difference from not waiting 30 minutes before getting into the water after a meal. It just happened naturally, it has nothing to do with my driving skills."

I hummed at Din's logic before dropping the topic, for now that was. We walked in silence as the village came into our view. I felt Din's eyes causing me to turn and look at him. "I haven't gotten use to your short hair." He said causing a flashback of what I did earlier to rise. I honestly forgot all about it.

"You just reminded me that I cut it." I said reaching up to the pins in my hair. "My mom is gonna kill me when she sees it. She always liked my longer hair." Din grabbed my hand lightly causing me to halt before turning to look at him. I could tell by the way he had his helmet towards the ground that he wasn't actually looking at me, but rather anywhere but me.

"Din," I said confused causing him to squeeze my hand. His thumb rubbed over the top of my hand as I was met was a lingering silence. "Can I you a question?" I nodded my head as I wanted to know what was bothering the man so much for it to be hard to communicate.

"Astraea do you," He paused causing me to squeeze his hand in a confronting manner. He looked up at me as he finished the sentence, "Astraea do you love me?"

This was the last question I was expecting right now. I was in so much shock that my hand slip out of his as I stared at the helmet. Din Djarin was asking me if I loved him, and I honestly didn't know how to answer his question.

I looked away from him still not saying a word as I was still rendered speechless. "Say something Astraea." Din said in a pleading tone which was new to me. I shook my head as I tired to clear my thoughts, "I don't-I don't know." I said looking up at him.